Continuous flow engine maintenance scheduling and progress prediction system

Abstract

The method according to the present invention relates to a method for inspecting a continuous flow engine. The method utilizes an improved evaluation of the planned inspection schedule in order to guarantee the reliability of the continuous flow engine and to improve the available options and effects. The present invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for causing a computing entity to execute the method according to the present invention. The present invention relates to a storage device for providing the computer program according to the present invention. The present invention relates to a measuring device adapted to be used for maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine. The present invention relates to a method of using the measuring device according to the present invention.

Description

Technical Field

[0003] , ,

[0001] The method disclosed herein relates to a method for inspecting a continuous flow engine. The present invention also relates to a computer program product (computer program) including instructions configured to cause a computing entity to execute the method according to the present invention. The present invention also relates to a storage device for providing the computer program product (computer program) according to the present invention. The present invention also relates to a measuring device configured to be used for maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine. The present invention also relates to a method for using the measuring device according to the present invention.

Background Art

[0002] Continuous flow engines are very important and extremely sophisticated devices used in modern industries. Despite being used for a long time, continuous flow engines are constantly being improved to further expand their scope of use and / or further enhance the benefits provided therewith. Herein, in particular, the extreme flexibility required to adapt the use of these continuous flow engines to current requirements has rendered such continuous flow engines non-replaceable and, furthermore, has exposed them to a constantly increasing number of significant requirements due to the lack of capacity to other mutually related elements in the corresponding system. For example, in the field of power generation, continuous flow engines such as gas turbines must compensate for renewable energy sources such as wind power generation and solar power generation with variable fluctuations that require compensation. This has increased the stress and fatigue of the corresponding continuous flow engines, necessitating continuous improvement of the means and methods for inspecting such continuous flow engines.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The above and other problems are solved by the products and methods disclosed below and in the claims. Further beneficial embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims and further description and drawings. These advantages can be used to adapt the corresponding solutions to specific needs or to solve additional problems.

[0004] According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for inspecting a continuous flow engine. The continuous flow engine is used to generate power (electricity) based on the flow of fluid passing through the engine, or to compress the flow of fluid passing through the engine. The continuous flow engine includes a plurality of components. This method includes the step of obtaining a component maintenance list, which identifies the components that should be inspected during the next maintenance or overhaul. The method includes the step of identifying at least one correlated component of the continuous flow engine, which includes retrieving data from a component database and identifying components that are physically or functionally related. This method includes a step of evaluating the effect of including the at least one correlation component in the next maintenance or overhaul. The evaluation described above takes into account failure modes, which include the probability of replacement, the probability of failure, the probability of irreparable damage, or a combination of these probabilities. The aforementioned evaluation includes the amount of labor savings based on additional labor that takes into account the physical assembly structure of the continuous flow engine and the required disassembly and assembly of the continuous flow engine based on the component maintenance list. The method includes the step of providing a list of at least one correlated component that would be beneficial to inspect additionally during the next maintenance or overhaul.

[0005] By utilizing the method according to the present invention, inspection of continuous flow engines can be dramatically improved. Other industrial devices present significantly lower requirements in terms of downtime and extra spare parts required for similar inspection procedures. However, in the case of continuous flow engines as described herein, replacements are usually unavailable, and prolonged shutdowns of gas turbines, for example, to compensate for fluctuating energy production from renewable energy resources, can pose a risk to the safety of the entire electric grid. At the same time, components used in continuous flow engines, such as blades and vanes, are very expensive, and distributing large quantities of such components that are ultimately not needed at many inspection sites has been difficult and is expected to be impossible due to the highly specialized and optimized components used to extend the limits of the continuous flow engines described herein. Interrelated components, in particular, that are recognized during normal inspections as advantageous to replace simultaneously, pose a significant challenge. Even with standardized continuous flow engines, it is difficult for experts with 10 years of experience to grasp all such cases. Regarding further anticipated and even more specific improvements to enhance the effectiveness of highly specialized continuous flow engines, making such evaluations based solely on experience becomes increasingly difficult, or even impossible. Therefore, the present invention, which provides an automated solution to optimize on-site spare parts management, is needed to optimize current inspections and address future industry needs. It provides an output that includes additional components to avoid requiring manual operation and prevent extended downtime.

[0006] As used here, "inspecting the components" refers to a defined interaction process, such as replacement, repair, or checking their condition. Generally, this expression preferably refers to replacing or repairing the components.

[0007] Obtaining a component maintenance list may simply involve searching a predefined list of continuous flow engine components that should be inspected at a given time. However, according to many applications, it is preferable to add certain components that are expected to be inspected for a particular continuous flow engine, for example, based on comparable or matching continuous flow engine historical data or expert knowledge. The list is not limited to components that are certain to be replaced. Typically, it is preferable that the component maintenance list includes components that are certain to be inspected and components that are likely to require inspection. Those skilled in the art know how to select components that are likely to require inspection, based on their own experience and / or historical data obtained from decades of accumulated experience.

[0008] The “probability of replacement” used here refers to the probability of replacing the corresponding component when it is needed at a specified time. Preferably, the probability of replacement is determined based on historical data including the condition and replacement timing of matching or similar components. For example, a corresponding database is obtained during inspection of the corresponding continuous flow engine by collecting the corresponding data over a long period of time. The corresponding data is associated, for example, with a specific operating time of the continuous flow engine. Based on such data, the probability of replacement for a specific component and a specific time can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, simulation can be used to determine the degradation of the corresponding component and determine the probability of replacement accordingly. In particular, the use of such simulation is a very useful method for providing corresponding findings. For example, the probability of replacement is preferably based on an assessment of the degradation limit and / or crack assessment. For example, crack assessment can be performed based on the length of the crack, the shape of the crack, and / or the direction of the crack. Based on this information, it is possible to predict with high reliability the likelihood of failure during subsequent use and to quickly predict the probability of subsequent replacement.

[0009] The “probability of failure” used here refers to the probability of a corresponding component failing at a specified time, rendering the continuous flow engine inoperable. This condition may, for example, be irreparable without manual intervention, or even render the continuous flow engine irreparable. While it is possible to derive such probabilities from comparisons with historical data, it is generally preferable to use simulations that predict the future evolution of components using historical data. While it is possible to use models to create such simulations, it should be noted that using historical data is beneficial for typical embodiments. For example, it is possible to significantly reduce the processing power of the computer system used without losing reliability and detailed findings. The significant benefit of including simulations here lies in the fact that improved materials, designs, and monitoring of continuous flow engines can reveal new possibilities that have recently emerged, such as increased stress or previously unobserved conditions, and it is considered that including simulations of such possibilities is significant. Such simulations are very useful, and this is considered to be based on the good adaptability of models corresponding to continuous flow engines, which are very flexible and still used as a method for easily evaluating and simulating degradation. This is particularly important in the examples given herein, as the method according to the present invention requires the evaluation of multiple correlated components that require a good balance between the required processing power and the reliable detailed information obtained. It should be noted that the method according to the present invention can be used for continuous flow engines using available computer hardware and software, despite the calculations theoretically required to comprehensively simulate such complex systems.

[0010] The "probability of irreparable damage" used here refers to the probability that the corresponding component is damaged to such an extent that it cannot be repaired. The rest of the device may still function, but the component in question is so degraded that it cannot be tolerated, removed, or even reduced in order to restore its operational capability.

[0011] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program product (computer program) implemented in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, which includes instructions that act to cause a computing entity to perform a method according to the present invention.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a storage device that provides a computer program product (computer program) according to the present invention, the device storing the computer program product and / or providing the computer program product for further use.

[0013] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a measuring device adapted for use during maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine based on a component maintenance list adapted according to the method of the present invention. This measuring device is configured to collect data on components that are reviewed during maintenance or overhaul. This measuring device is configured to transfer the collected data to a database in order to further adapt the list of components to be inspected during maintenance or overhaul using the method according to the present invention.

[0014] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for using a measuring device according to the present invention during maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, the following detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be referenced together with the description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but rather to be understood as disclosing preferred embodiments that further illustrate the present invention. [Figure 1] The scheme of the method according to the present invention is shown below. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Preferably, the following embodiments include at least one processor and / or data storage unit for carrying out the method according to the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0017] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, terms such as “calculate,” “process,” “determine,” “generate / occur,” “configure,” “reconstruct,” and equivalent terms refer to actions and / or processes and / or steps that modify and / or create and / or transform data, where the data is presented as or available as physical variables.

[0018] The terms "data storage" or equivalent used herein refer to temporary data storage such as RAM (Random Access Memory), long-term data storage such as hard drives, or data storage units such as CDs, DVDs, and USB sticks. Such data storage may additionally include or be connected to processing units that enable the processing of data stored in the data storage.

[0019] In the following, the present invention will be described by referring to an example of a continuous flow engine such as a gas turbine. It should be noted that the application of the present invention in such areas is particularly beneficial. The corresponding continuous flow engines are typically used, for example, as base power supply units in power generation and distribution networks, and further have to cope with fluctuations resulting from non-uniform power generation from renewable energy sources.

[0020] According to one form, the present invention relates to the method described above.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, it is preferred that the probability of replacement is determined using historical data and simulated data. It should be noted that combining historical data and simulated data is particularly useful for obtaining corresponding information of a continuous flow engine with a very good balance of processing power and accuracy.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, it is preferred that the evaluation takes into account the probability of failure. The probability of failure is at least partially determined using a simulation of the degradation of at least one correlated component. It should be noted that the determination of the probability of failure can be improved in typical applications by including a simulation of the degradation of at least one correlated component. By using the obtained history and operating conditions of the continuous flow engine, a very detailed and reliable simulation of the degradation becomes possible. On the other hand, the required processing power is surprisingly limited by enabling the provision of a large number of available degradation simulations. These simulations make it possible to better improve the probability of failure, and the additional effort is almost easily overcome by the improved findings obtained.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, preferably, at least one correlation component is a component configured to contact the fluid flow when using a continuous flow engine. It should be noted that the inspection of a continuous flow engine, especially a gas turbine, is usually very beneficially improved by appropriately adapting the inspection of the corresponding components. Attention should be paid to the combination of available historical data and available in-depth insights regarding the components, which enables the method according to the invention to be surprisingly effectively used for the components, allowing for a reliable simulation of component degradation with a not-too-high processing capacity.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, preferably, the component maintenance list and at least one correlation component include at least one matching component, and the step of evaluating the effect of including at least one correlation component in maintenance or overhaul includes an adaptation factor based on the total number of those matching components. The adaptation factor improves the effect of including at least one correlation component in maintenance or overhaul. It should be noted that such a simple adaptation of the effect evaluation includes practical insights for the main application and enables obtaining an effect that exceeds the theoretically expected value by adding a slight surplus of the corresponding components.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the method preferably includes using antecedent factors, and the method uses antecedent factors. The antecedent factors are automatically provided based on a historical database including component data inspected in past inspections of the continuous flow engine and / or received from an interface configured to be used by an operator. Antecedent factors enhance the effectiveness of including evaluated spare parts in the list. While the comprehensive method described above already provides a highly reliable evaluation, it should be noted that further improvements can be achieved by including past experience and / or expert knowledge. Here, antecedent factors can be used, in particular, as relative coefficients that proportionally increase the effect or as absolute increases in the determined effect. For example, it is possible to simply specify some antecedent factors of the values ​​required to represent a component that is part of the list. Analysis of the historical database can be based on a comparison of the current evaluation with components that have been previously required to be inspected under comparable conditions, and in addition, annotations and comments on findings from such past inspections can be utilized. It should be noted that this makes it very easy to include practical deviations resulting, for example, from a continuous flow engine owner handling their continuous flow engine in a particular way that applies increased stress to certain components that degrade more quickly.

[0026] In a further embodiment, preferably, the value of the effort further includes adapting additional effort based on correlated components already identified as to be inspected additionally during the next maintenance or overhaul. Utilizing the methods and particularly the embodiments described herein, which require highly efficient use of processing capacity, allows for the inclusion of evaluation dependencies that consider several loops and / or correlated components to be inspected additionally. For example, by considering the correlated components to be inspected that are included in addition to the component maintenance list and the resulting changes in inspection work, it is possible to easily and effectively represent the inspection of additional components. Typically, in this regard, it is preferable to further take into account the physical assembly structure. For example, according to one embodiment, the re-evaluation of correlated components is performed based on a combination of failure modes exceeding a predetermined value and their interrelationships based on the physical assembly structure.

[0027] In a further embodiment, preferably, the step of identifying at least one correlated component includes retrieving component data from a component database, preferably a remote database. For example, the remote database may also be provided as a distributed database. Typically, it is preferable to use a remote database. While local databases are theoretically useful, it should be noted that maintaining the possibility (evolution) of continuously adapting corresponding data regarding correlated components is particularly beneficial. The practical effect of corresponding adaptation in this context is thought to be based on changes resulting from continuous changes, upgrades, and new findings of components, also based on new types of operation in the field of continuous flow engines. Thus, new dependencies can be identified without representing inaccurate previous data. Continuous improvement in the art simply indicates that including such updates is remarkably beneficial.

[0028] In a further embodiment, preferably, the step of evaluating the effect of including at least one correlated component in maintenance or overhaul includes a downtime simulation. The downtime simulation involves simulating a possible reduction in the downtime of a continuous flow engine, based on including, as a possibility, at least one correlated component in the list of components that should be inspected during the next maintenance or overhaul.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the method preferably includes the step of adapting a list of correlated components that would be effective to additionally inspect during the next maintenance or overhaul, based on data acquired between maintenance or overhauls, by including additional components in the list of correlated components that would be effective to additionally inspect during the next maintenance or overhaul, or by excluding components that are included in the list. It should be noted that continuing to adapt the list during maintenance or overhauls would further increase the effectiveness of the method. In one example, preferably, a defined measuring device is provided that is continuously or on demand connected to a database. The actual state of the components during maintenance or overhaul is uploaded. This allows for further adaptation of maintenance and can address unexpected situations, for example, based on unknown increased stress resulting from uncommunicated use beyond acceptable limits. For example, detailed data on the use of a continuous flow engine can be continuously or at least examined before it deviates significantly beyond predetermined limits, making corresponding adaptations more effective.

[0030] In a further embodiment, preferably, the evaluation takes into account the probability of failure. The probability of failure is determined at least partially using at least one failure history database. A failure history database contains data on the degradation history of multiple similar or matching components. It should be noted that available history databases can offer significant advantages in determining the probability of failure. Human influences, in particular, which differ from simulations considering ideal processes, are considered to be effectively taken into account.

[0031] In a further embodiment, preferably, the evaluation in the method according to the present invention takes into account the probability of failure. The probability of failure is determined at least partially using simulations of the degradation of at least one correlated component. It should be noted that simulating the degradation of correlated components is a very effective tool for providing the probability of failure. Even when simulation is used alone, the method according to the present invention can be used to very effectively optimize the inspection of continuous flow engines. For example, it is particularly beneficial to combine simulated data with historical data to provide even more significantly improved findings that should be utilized. The advantages obtained here are thought to be based on the combination of highly detailed simulations and human factors that are difficult or impossible to simulate.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a computer program product (computer program) implemented in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, which includes instructions that cause a computing entity to perform a method according to the present invention.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a storage device for providing a computer program product according to the present invention. The device stores and / or provides the computer program product for further use.

[0034] According to further embodiments, the present invention relates to a measuring device adapted for use during maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine based on a component maintenance list adapted according to the method of the present invention. The measuring device is configured to collect data on components that are reviewed during maintenance or overhaul. The measuring device is configured to transfer the collected data to a database and to further adapt the list of components to be inspected during maintenance or overhaul using the method according to the present invention.

[0035] According to further embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for using a measuring device according to the present invention during maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine.

[0036] The following detailed description, with reference to drawings, illustrates embodiments that should not be construed as limiting, describing their features and further advantages.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a scheme of the method of the present invention according to an embodiment. Here, the method is applied to a gas turbine 1, which is an example of a continuous flow engine. The gas turbine 1 is used in the power generation industry and provides a highly sophisticated method for generating electricity in a very flexible manner. In this example, the fluid flow is generated inside the gas turbine based on burning a fluid using multiple burners.

[0038] The gas turbine consists of several components necessary to enable the operation of gas turbine 1. The components that provide the high-temperature gas path in contact with the fluid flow also consist of several components, and the extreme stress conditions of the high-temperature gas path impose very large stresses on the components in question. For example, the high-temperature gas path includes components 2a, 2b which are inspected according to a maintenance list, and components 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f which are interrelated with these components 2a, 2b.

[0039] According to the method of the present invention, the processing unit 5 retrieves data from the component maintenance list 4. The component maintenance list 4 lists, for example, the components 2a and 2b that are included in the next maintenance or overhaul. The processing unit 5 retrieves data from the component database 6, which contains data on the gas turbine 1 and its components 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f. Using this data, the processing unit 5 identifies the physically or functionally correlated components 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f that are related to components 2a and 2b.

[0040] Taking into account the probability of replacement (7), the probability of failure (8), the probability of irreparable failure (9), and failure modes based on combinations of these probabilities, processing unit 5 evaluates the effect of including correlated components 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f in the next maintenance or overhaul. At this time, processing unit 5 retrieves data 10 regarding the physical assembly structure from the component database 6. Here, the risk is related to the effort required to inspect the component in question 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f during or before the next maintenance or overhaul. For example, it is evaluated whether the risk of failure of component 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f is too high considering the considerable effort required if replacement is needed during the scheduled maintenance or overhaul. Alternatively, the risk of a combination of the probability of replacement (7), failure (8), and irreparable damage (9) is assessed to determine whether it is low enough that it does not need to be included in future maintenance or overhauls, based on the low effort required to inspect the physically correlated components 2a,2b that are to be removed from the gas turbine 1 based on the initially planned maintenance or overhaul.

[0041] In this example, historical and simulated data are used to determine the failure mode. For example, the current state of correlated components 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f is simulated and their associated probabilities are determined, taking into account the most recent available data. Furthermore, the overall current state of specific components of gas turbine 1 is determined by considering past measurements and historical operating data. Relevant historical data is determined to identify past findings and inspections included in previous maintenance or overhauls that indicate deviations from the simulated situation. For example, early replacement of components may be based not only on deterioration but also on the difficulty of inspecting correlated components without replacing them. These components, such as springs and bolts, may be removed to allow inspection and are susceptible to damage during operation. For example, a failure history database is used that includes time-series data on the measured state of components, gas turbine operating conditions, and components that failed during operation. It should be noted that including such a historical database is highly beneficial for most applications.

[0042] An operator utilizing the method according to the present invention can specify a number of loops not shown in Figure 1. For example, one could specify running three loops, where the first evaluation indicates the correlation components 3b and 3d that should be additionally inspected. Based on the additionally inspected correlation components 3b and 3d, the evaluation of other correlation components needs to be adapted. For example, based on the additionally inspected correlation components 3b and 3d, it may be effective to inspect the entire group of components 2a, 2b, 3b, 3d, and 3e. Introducing such loops is highly beneficial. For example, inspecting the entire set of components 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f may be beneficial overall, as it provides an overall reduction in downtime based on simulations that take into account planned complex maintenance or overhaul work.

[0043] Based on the evaluation, processing unit 5 presents a list 11 of additional correlated components 3b, 3d, and 3e that should be included in the next maintenance or overhaul.

[0044] For example, List 11 could be selected to include all components 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, each representing a 95% overall probability that any of these components will need to be replaced during the next maintenance or overhaul, and this selection is available during the process. This probability assessment significantly reduces the risk that an untrained employee, despite being required to prepare necessary spare parts, might fail to include the required components 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f during the preparation phase.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, the method according to the present invention may be used to present additional costs, such as, for example, the costs incurred when components 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f are not included in the spare parts provided for maintenance or overhaul and need to be transported urgently, or when an extended downtime is required to complete the maintenance or overhaul.

[0046] This method is not static and can be re-executed during maintenance or overhaul. For example, preferably, a measuring device according to the present invention is used, which allows for the direct acquisition of additional data. This additional data may indicate that the condition of the gas turbine components differs from the expected condition. As a result, additional components 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f are effectively inspected. This information can be immediately transmitted to a central storage facility, which immediately triggers notification to inspectors to perform the relevant additional steps, along with the immediate delivery of additional spare parts to the corresponding facility.

[0047] The present invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes only. However, it should not be understood that the present invention is limited to the embodiments described above, which represent forms that provide advantages in solving a particular problem or satisfying a particular requirement. The scope of protection should be understood to be limited only by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting a continuous flow engine, The continuous flow engine is used to generate power based on the flow of fluid passing through the continuous flow engine, or to compress the flow of fluid passing through the continuous flow engine. The continuous flow engine includes a plurality of components, The method includes the step of obtaining a component maintenance list (4), The aforementioned component maintenance list (4) identifies the components (2a, 2b) that should be inspected during the next maintenance or overhaul. The method includes identifying at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) among the plurality of components of the continuous flow engine that is deemed advantageous to replace at the same time as the component (2a, 2b) to be inspected, and this step includes retrieving data from a component database (6) that stores data for each of the plurality of components, and identifying the physically or functionally related components as the at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f). The method includes a step of evaluating the effect of including at least one correlation component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) in maintenance or overhaul, The aforementioned evaluation takes into account failure modes, which are defined as the probability of replacement (7), the probability of failure (8), the probability of irreparable damage (9), or a combination of these probabilities. The evaluation includes the amount of labor savings based on the additional labor required for disassembly and assembly of the continuous flow engine, taking into account the physical assembly structure of the continuous flow engine and the component maintenance list (4). The method includes the step of providing a list of at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) that would be advantageous to inspect additionally during the next maintenance or overhaul. A method characterized by the following:

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the probability (7) of the exchange is determined using historical data and simulated data.

3. The above evaluation takes into account the probability of failure (8), The probability of failure (8) is determined at least partially using a simulation of the degradation of the at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f). The method according to claim 1.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one correlation component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) is a component configured to come into contact with the fluid flow when the continuous flow engine is in use.

5. This method includes utilizing precedent factors, The preceding factors are automatically provided based on a historical database containing data on components inspected and / or received from an interface configured to be used by the operator during past inspections of the continuous flow engine. The aforementioned prior factors enhance the effect of including the evaluated spare parts in the list. The method according to claim 1.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting the value of the labor based on correlated components (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) that have already been identified as requiring additional inspection during the next maintenance or overhaul.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) includes retrieving component data from the component database (6).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the constituent database (6) is a remote database.

9. The step of evaluating the effect of including at least one correlation component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) in maintenance or overhaul includes a downtime simulation, The downtime simulation includes simulating a possible reduction in the downtime of the continuous flow engine by potentially including the at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) in the list of components (2a, 2b) to be inspected during the next maintenance or overhaul. The method according to claim 1.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of adapting a list (11) of at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) that would be effective to be additionally inspected during the next maintenance or overhaul, based on data obtained during the next maintenance or overhaul, and including an additional component in the list (11) of at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) that would be effective to be additionally inspected during the next maintenance or overhaul, or excluding a component that is included in the list (11).

11. The above evaluation takes into account the probability of failure (8), The probability of the failure (8) is determined at least partially using at least one failure history database, The failure history database includes data relating to the degradation history of multiple similar or matching components. The method according to claim 1.

12. The above evaluation takes into account the probability of failure (8), The probability of failure (8) is determined at least partially using a simulation of the degradation of the at least one correlated component (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f). The method according to claim 1.

13. A computer program, implemented in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, comprising instructions that cause a computing entity to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A storage device for providing the computer program described in claim 13, wherein the storage device stores the computer program and / or provides the computer program for further use.

15. A measuring device configured for use during maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine based on a component maintenance list (4) adapted according to the method described in any one of claims 1 to 12, The measuring device is configured to collect data relating to the components (2a, 2b) that are inspected during the maintenance or overhaul. The measuring device is configured to transfer the collected data to a database and to further adapt the list of components (2a, 2b) to be inspected during maintenance or overhaul using the method described in any one of claims 1 to 12. A measuring device characterized by the following features.

16. A method for using a measuring device, wherein the measuring device described in claim 15 is used during maintenance or overhaul of a continuous flow engine.

Images